How changes to frequency of treatment and mode of treatment improved paediatric speech-language pathology services: A pragmatic clinical trial

This pragmatic clinical trial examined the functional impact of a modified speech-language pathology intervention delivery model (including telepractice, reduced therapy frequency, and emphasised home programmes with parent training) on child outcomes.
A convenience sample of 40 children from speech-language pathology clinics at one institution was randomly assigned to 8 weekly or 8 fortnightly hour-long speech-language pathology intervention sessions. Pre-treatment and post-treatment standardised tests were administered and compared. All participants received parent training, a prescription for home programmes, and chose their preferred mode of treatment (telepractice and/or in-office). ANOVA and t-tests explored outcomes. Significance level was 0.05.
Performance improved post-intervention in both groups; score improvements were not significantly different between weekly vs. fortnightly groups or delivery modes. This may indicate that varied modes and frequencies of therapy produce similar outcomes. Home programme completion did not result in significant outcome differences. Some findings may be attributed to the small sample size.
Children’s functional speech-language performance outcomes may not differ based on frequency (weekly vs. fortnightly) and/or modality of intervention (telepractice vs. in-office). More research in larger populations is needed to explore if such interventions are efficacious while reducing burden to families’ schedules, finances, and travel.